Let's talk MotoGP: Here's what KTM needs to do with its riders

One brand, five contracts. KTM is facing a real rich man problem right now, with too many talented drivers to run. The Austrians must find a way to fit everyone in, but obviously one of the five contenders will be harmed. So of course, we don't pretend to give advice to such a prestigious brand, but this article aims to look into the question using mainly logic. Who should take the leap? Who should ride in MotoGP?

 

To summarize

 

Before we begin, let's just point out that we will not discuss the financial conditions or the clauses of each. Here, we are simply talking about sportsman even if these details can weigh heavily in such a decision. Let's start again. To solve this puzzle, nothing better than establishing priorities. What does KTM want? What is the goal ? Win in MotoGP, or at least, compete with Ducati from 2024. For this, you have to equip yourself with the best elements.

In our opinion, Pedro Acosta must be brought up to MotoGP. He must be driving full-time from 2024. Generational talent affirmed since its first season in the world (where he was titled in Moto3, by the way), he made the break in the general in Moto2 and should take this coronation without too many problems. It would be criminal to deprive us of such talent by “putting it on the shelf”, a strategy that we often see in Formula 1 and which sometimes backfires against those who make this decision (the case Oscar Piastri with Alpine is quite telling). We are talking about a “caliber” driver Pedrosa, Lorenzo, Marc Marquez

 

 

You guessed it; it is therefore necessary to burden one of the four current pilots.

 

Official or satellite, far from being a detail

 

Now that we've set the scene, let's look at the four thieves, independently. Brad Binder is sure to remain a full-time factory driver, it's not even a debate. He recently extended his contract, and embodies KTM at the highest level. Despite a recent decline in form – apart from the very good breakthroughs for which he has the secret, he remains an “elite” driver who can compete for victory with the best in the premier category. The Mattighofen firm would have every interest in making him its flagship driver because he is a good communicator, friendly, fits in with the somewhat crazy image conveyed by Red Bull and above all, has spent his entire career with them. He is, in a way, the perfect employee.

So three men remain. Jack Miller within the official team, Pol Espargaró and Augusto Fernandez at GasGas Tech3. For a time, we thought Augusto was safe but it is clear that the good return of “Pollycio” must have put a little pressure on him. The bike seemed to work more than expected, and Pol was quickly able to fight with it like in Austria. In addition, the 2 Moto2022 world champion had two difficult weekends in Misano and then in India (recording his first retirement of the season during a Grand Prix), although he came back very well in Motegi.

 

 

So, yes, we hear everywhere that the solution has been found; why not part ways with Pol Espargaró, 32 years old, certainly closer to the end of his career than the beginning. It's almost too easy. But isn't this approaching the problem from the wrong end? For a time, we also thought this, and didn't even understand why it was being debated.

But should we really link Pedro Acosta to GasGas rather than KTM? Is his place within a satellite team that has played nothing, or almost nothing, since 2020? Not in our opinion. Moreover, earlier, we cited Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Márquez. We could even have added Maverick Viñales to have the complete list of the most promising talents before arriving in MotoGP in the 21st century. What do they have in common ? They all started in an official stable.

 

Jack Miller must give up his place

 

A brand must dare. Dare to give the keys to the truck to such talent, or at least lend him the best equipment, the best team. Dare to give him a responsibility that makes him great. Dare to follow the direction of the story. Pedro Acosta's place is in the factory team, not at GasGas.

Can you imagine for a moment that KTM and Red Bull miss this opportunity, even if the prodigy arrives in the next box? For the image, for the prestige, for the striking power, we must not be afraid to make such a decision. You would have understood it ; in our opinion, we must part ways with Jack Miller. We have nothing against the Australian, and he is no more deserving than Pol Espargaró for example, but we must understand that the two roles have nothing to do with each other. Miller is not less strong than Pol, but the Binder/Acosta – Espargaró/Fernández pairing in the B team would be much more interesting than the two Binder/Miller – Acosta/Fernández pairs. The nuance is fine, but oh so important.

And then, in all honesty, Jack Miller was not transcendent either. It is difficult to quantify his help linked to his experience at Ducati, but on the track, the results are far from exceptional. They are correct, certainly, especially for a first season riding the KTM. But it is above all the lack of progress which questions. He was almost stronger, more proactive, more consistent in his performance at the start of the season when he didn't know the machine.

From now on, he is capable of very good performances but also of truly strange weekends. His running pace is still below; he struggles to stay ahead despite good starts, and this, almost systematically. It's difficult to try to find faults in him just as it's difficult to try to find faults in others.

But this is also why we choose Jack Miller, and this will be our last argument. If KTM manages to keep him under contract while lending him to another team – a very “Formula 1” maneuver in spirit – it will be easy to find him a ride. There is no doubt that Honda, to replace Marc Márquez, will be eyeing the new dad. Pol Espargaró, who is far from unworthy and who brings that extra soul to the team, in addition to his experience riding the RC16, would struggle more.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Parting ways with Jack Miller – a driver whose ceiling we know – in favor of Pedro Acosta in the factory team is both conferring important status on an important driver, and perhaps keeping five drivers under contract on the grid instead of four. It also means giving Brad Binder the chance to perform while putting him in competition with a young wolf, as well as encouraging Augusto Fernández to progress, while avoiding the media storm that could harm the brand image (no need to recall the Remy Gardner case). It also means keeping a solid base with Pol Espargaró in the satellite team, the one who is not made to win, we remind you.

What do you think of our solution? Tell us in the comments!

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport